Candied Sweet Potatoes

What do you call this recipe? Is it Candied Sweet Potatoes or do you call them Candied Yams? Whichever name they go by in your home, they're a side dish staple for any successful Thanksgiving meal or holiday celebration. Let me show you how incredibly easy this recipe is with prep ahead tips too! 

Every year for Thanksgiving my mother made Candied Sweet Potatoes. Only I never ate them. For some strange reason, I thought I didn't like sweet potatoes when I was growing up.

They are now my favorite potato and for good reason.

Did you know that sweet potatoes are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals? They’re also high in antioxidants that protect your body. These are just a few reasons to enjoy them, but the main reason is they're delicious! 

Table of Contents

• How are Yams and Sweet Potatoes Different?
• Helpful Kitchen Tools
• Main Ingredients Needed
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• How to Prep Ahead for Thanksgiving Day
• More Thanksgiving Recipes: 
• 💬 Comments

How are Yams and Sweet Potatoes Different?

Around this time of year people seem to get a little confused between sweet potatoes and yams. I do! So what is the difference? Are they the same potato?

You can tell the difference between a yam and a sweet potato before you even bite in. Sweet potatoes have thin, smooth skin and orange or white flesh. Sweet potatoes are flavorful and moist while yams are often starchy and dry.

There's your foodie lesson for the day, now on to the recipe! I think you're going to be surprised that this recipe only has THREE ingredients! 

Helpful Kitchen Tools

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Main Ingredients Needed

Make sure you print out the recipe below and save it for later!

• Sweet Potatoes - for this recipe I used one of the five pound boxes that most grocery stores carry aroujnd the holidays.
• Butter
• Brown sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 | Prep the Potatoes

• Wash and peel the sweet potatoes.
• Then slice the potatoes into 2 inch thick rounds.
• You don't want them to be too thin or they won't hold their shape as they bake. 

Step 2 | Boil the Potatoes

• Add the sliced potatoes to a large stock pot and cover with cold water.
• Place over medium high heat on the stove and bring to a boil. Allow to simmer until they are fork tender; about 10 to 15 minutes.
• You don't want them to be super soft because we're not mashing them. 

Step 3 | Add to Casserole Dish

• Drain the water and place the potatoes in a large 9X13 Pyrex Glass Baking Dish that's been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
• Usually I make this recipe in a large disposable aluminum pan that helps with cleanup after the meal on Thanksgiving. 

Step 4 | Prepare the Caramel Glaze

• Now that the potatoes are cooked, we need to turn them into candied sweet potatoes!
• In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium high heat. Stir in the brown sugar until combined.
• Allow to boil for 5 minutes. Watch it closely as you don't want the glaze to burn or get too thick. 
• Carefully pour over the cooked potatoes.

Step 5 | Baking Instructions

• Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until warmed through.

How to Prep Ahead for Thanksgiving Day

• If making these potatoes the day before Thanksgiving, prepare everything as stated except do not bake. Instead allow the potatoes with the sauce on top to come to room temperature. Cover with aluminum foil and place in the refrigerator.
• The next day remove from refrigerator and allow to sit on top of the stove or kitchen counter for at least 30 minutes before baking as instructed above.
• Make sure you remove the aluminum foil before baking.

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More Thanksgiving Recipes: 

• A new family favorite is my mother's recipe for Cheesy Corn Pudding Casserole that starts out with a box of Jiffy Muffin Mix. 
• Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce made in the Instant Pot you can use a crock pot too! 
• This recipe for Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing can be made ahead of time and either frozen or wrapped in aluminum foil the day before Thanksgiving. 
• Tips on Roasting the PERFECT Turkey for Thanksgiving  plus a free roasting chart to use on Thanksgiving morning. 
• Another prep ahead recipe that's perfect for Thanksgiving is Company Mashed Potatoes.
• Turkey Breast cooked in the crock pot - I always cook another turkey breast in the crock pot so we have extra white meat. That way you can send home extra with family members and have enough on hand the next day to make turkey sandwiches.